A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has declared that there will be “no vacancy” in the Presidential Villa come 2027, sending a stern warning to former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and other potential challengers.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Okechukwu defended APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who recently made a similar statement. According to Okechukwu, the blame lies with the PDP for breaching the rotation convention that has governed Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, leading to the party’s internal divisions.
“The erroneous breach of the rotation convention had divided the PDP irretrievably, albeit producing the Wike masquerade, which cannot be easily wiped off or lashed off the party’s bone marrow,” Okechukwu stated.
He emphasized that the PDP’s internal discord would hinder its ability to serve as a formidable opposition force, adding that the party’s leadership greed would prevent it from considering a merger akin to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
“The rotation fire is raging and may not be quenched before 2027,” Okechukwu warned, underscoring the significance of the zoning principle in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Addressing concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s potential second term bid amidst economic hardships, Okechukwu expressed confidence that current economic challenges would ease before 2027 due to the president’s policies.
He highlighted Tinubu’s diplomatic strides, noting his balanced relationships with both Western and Eastern powers, which he believes will attract Foreign Direct Investments and secure loan-backed projects to stabilize the economy.
“President Tinubu has done well diplomatically; he is a friend of the West and a friend of the East. This means that he has the support of the international community,” Okechukwu asserted.
As political maneuvers for the 2027 elections begin to take shape, Okechukwu’s remarks signal the APC’s determination to retain power, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense electoral contest.
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